China hails Israel's release of Palestinian prisoners

China has welcomed the release of 26 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

But it also urged Jerusalem to stop settlements and work with Palestine to establish a proper atmosphere for peace talks.

The Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made these remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on Israel's Tuesday release of Palestinian prisoners and its new plan to construct houses in the West Bank settlement, Xinhua reported.